Being

I can't do it on my own. Every "do it yourself kit" I have ever tried left me frustrated, disappointed and discouraged. You can't do it on your own. Our American culture has been influenced by the Greek and Roman cultures. Those cultures function out of fear, individualism and control. Nearly all of our American churches have been influenced by our culture. It's all about performance. We measure success by how rich we are, how strong we are and how smart we are.

Survival of the fittest works in the animal kingdom, but we are not animals. We are created in the image of the One who created us. We have created an individualistic, external, thing-a-fied culture in America. We are designed to live from a state of being with an internal, interpersonal community with Who before the what. You are a person. You were created for community. You can't hug a TV.

One of the main reasons I have created this blog is restore people into the image of the One who created them. We are created for community with the Safe One and safe people who will give you hope and encouragement. That means you or anyone who reads this post. Are you disappointed? Are you discouraged? Have your expectations not been fulfilled? Are your circumstances painful?

I have good news for you! You are deeply loved. You are completely accepted. You are highly valued. If you are tired of measuring up and unable to reach the bar that gets higher and higher, listen to the Voice of the Person who will fill you with Hope and Encouragement. He is your Hope. He is your Encourager.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." (Philippians 4:6-7, The Message)

Abba, I ask that you heal and bless my friend through Christ our Healer this day. Let Him Lift You and Encourage you today!

Pain Transformed into Peace

Pain indicates a problem. Sometimes the pain we experience is so intense that we either destroy ourselves or we destroy others. Murder is the ultimate expression of the pain of rebellion. Suicide is the ultimate expression of the pain of rejection.

Most of us experience pain on a sliding scale somewhere into between those extremes. But if you are reading this post and your anger has boiled over to the point of wanting to murder someone please listen to me. There is a way out. Abba, our Father in heaven sent Christ to take your anger, violence and murder and give you His peace. Christ was rejected so you can be completely accepted. He took the anger and violence that led to His murder so you can have His peace. He was killed as an innocent victim, but He was raised from the dead and is ALIVE right now.

Your anger is a result of being abused. Christ was abused to bring healing to you. All you need to do is come to Abba, our Father in heaven through the person of Christ. Say, "Abba, I come to You. You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be sacrificed for me. He was killed, but He was raised from the dead. You are alive, Lord Jesus. I believe that You love me and I want to be Yours. Walk into my life. Be my life. Be the One who will reconnect me with my Creator, my Father. I now experience the greatest exchange that ever happened. Take my life and and I receive Your life. Place me with the right people in the right place at the right time to experience the fullness of life in Christ."

The same transaction will occur for anyone contemplating suicide. Jesus told us, "I came so that they (you) may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance to the full, 'till it overflows." (John 10:10 Amplified Bible)

All of us have disappointment and discouragement. The only way I know how to deal with those two challenges is to come face to face with Christ. God reveals Himself with a gift.That gift is wrapped in the person of Christ.

Listen to The Message Bible in Matthew 11:28-30 where Christ Jesus is speaking:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

This morning I was experiencing a heavy weight of disappointment and discouragement. I came with my wife and son through Jesus to Abba. We poured out our hearts to Him and heard His voice through the Matthew 11:28-30 passage. I now feel free and light.

He is our Strength. He is our Hope. He is our Life. He is everything we need Him to be.

Friend, receive Hope and Encouragement from Him today! He is your Hope. He is your Encourager. Abba is your Father. He loves you!